Top 6 Medicinal Herbs to Grow in Your Garden

Want to amp up your home or community garden to include medicinal herbs? These following 6 herbs are easy to grow, easy to use, and contain an abundance of healing and medicinal properties (so much we use most of them in our Clary products!).

People have been using Plantain for centuries as a topical to soothe skin irritations such as insect bites, burns, eczema, and chronic dryness. Plantain contains iridroids, which aid in anti-inflammation, and allatonin, which increases collage production. Plantain also has a cleansing astringent, which is known to soothe digestive tract issues.

The leaves of broadleaf plantain are safe to eat or chew into a salve, and are high in calcium and Vitamin K.

2. Peppermint

Peppermint contains incredible healing properties that aid in issues such as indigestion, nausea, headaches, and colds. For digestion related issues or menstrual cramps, peppermint can be used in a tincture or tea, which opens anti-pain pathways in the stomach and intestines. For headaches, peppermint oil works when applied directly to the skin, or added to a soothing bath.

Chamomile is one of the most widely used medicinal herbs used throughout history. Chamomile contains strong antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that work to soothe anxiety, insomnia, muscle spasms, arthritis, and skin irritations. It contains a high amount of terpenoids and flavonoids, which are the potent antioxidant backbones that work to fight disease and ailments. Chamomile is most commonly used in herbal teas, but can also be infused in oil for topical use.

4. Clary Sage

Clary Sage, our namesake, is used for stress relief, improved circulation, anti-depressant and anti-inflammatory use, and hormone regulation in women. Clary Sage is most commonly used as an oil, which can be added to a bath, diffuser, or tea. The high concentration of esters, which contain antispasmodic and sedative properties, and antimicrobial compounds make Clary Sage an ideal herb for relieving muscle tension and inflammation from menstrual pain or anxiety.

Lavender can be used in a myriad of ways to treat insomnia, nervous tension, anxiety, and headaches. The antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic, and analgesic properties also are incredibly handy in cleansing skin. When used in a tea, lavender works to heal digestive issues and headaches. When used in oil, lavender is shown to aid in wound healing and hair loss with regular use. You can thank the components of linalool and linalyl acetate for all of these healing benefits!

6. Rosemary

Rosemary boasts several important medicinal qualities, including enhancing brain function, anti-inflammation, pain relief, and immune support. Rosemary is rich in vitamins and minerals such as A, B6, C, magnesium, iron, and manganese, and also hosts an abundance of antioxidants. Rosemary is shown to prevent Alzheimer's by blocking two main causes of the disease. It can be ingested in the form of tea, oil, and as a spice!